Table lighter



Feb. 19, 1957 H. MAYER 2,731,652

TABLE LIGHTER Filed March 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 finvemvn' rbrf Maya by MW 5. S r/aim H. MAYER TABLE LIGHTER Feb. 19, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 8, 1955 Feb. 19, 1957 H. MAYER TABLE LIGHTER Fig.8

I AL J II l I i l-a "1' I I l' I f 45 T I F l 12 o I L I) I 1 j 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 so 5 w +9 +2 United States Patent TABLE LIGHTER Herbert Mayer, Augsburg, Germany Application March 8, 1955, Serial No. 492,959 Claims priority, application Germany August 2, 1954 21 Claims. (CI. 67-41) The invention relates to a table lighter having upper and lower sections which are displaceable relatively to one another and the actuation of which is effected by the force of gravity of the said two sections.

A cylindrical table lighter of this type of construction having friction wheel ignition is known in which are provided a substantially semi-cylindrical fuel container consisting of a single casting and an actuating means for ignition and extinguishing purposes consisting of elbow levers, coupling rods and tension springs, the said actuating means being arranged below the fuel container between the bottom thereof and a base plate which is connected to the latter by stay bolts.

The" above-mentioned actuating means is connected to the extinguishing cap by way of a complicated linkage arranged laterally of the fuel container. This known table lighter is therefore expensive to manufacture, and it is also to be taken into account that complicated castings are necessary both for the fuel container and for the housing. It is difficult to obtain access to the actuating means of this lighter for repair purposes, and in addition, due to the arrangement of the actuating means below the fuel container, the overall heightof the table lighter is considerably increased, with the result that the stability of the lighter is also insufiicient, although this is of relatively great importance with table lighters of this type,

since the lighter ignites when it falls over and thus there is danger of fire.

, The above-mentioned disadvantagesof this known table lightertare obviated by the specific and simple construction of the tablelighter according to the invention, in which the upper section consists of two flat frame plates which are each rolled at one side edge to form guide sleeves and between which is mounted an ignition lever simultaneously forming the extinguishing cap, the fuel tank also being fixed between the said plates, and at least one frame plate being made U-shaped by outward fianging or beading ofgthe side edges, and in which also the actuating means forthe igniting and extinguishing operations is arranged on one or both outside surfaces 'of the frame plates between the U-shaped space, and a box-shaped hood or cover is providedwhich is detachablyconnected to the frame plates and the cover plate of which comprises an outlet opening for the extinguishing cap.

This novel design of the table lighter renders possible a simple and cheap production,since the essential parts ofthe lighter may be madeout of stamped and bent sheet metal parts. The flat frame plate enables the actuating means to be mounted in a satisfactory and simple manner, so that the said means is readily accessible and therefore both the assembly and also repairs may be carried out substantially more easily. f ;Moreover, since the actuating means is not arranged beneath the fuel-container'but laterally-of the latter, there is obtained a low overall height and therefore the stability of the table lighter is'much greater. 9

Patented Feb. 19, 1957 ICC Figures 3 and 4 are two side elevations of this table, lighter with the extinguishing cap closed and without a cover,

Figures 5 and 6 are two side elevations of the said table lighter after it has been ignited, that is to say with the extinguishing cap open,

Figure 7 is a cross-section on the line VHVII of Figure 2,

Figures 8 and 9 are side elevations of a table lighter equipped with electric ignition, showing the closed and open positions, respectively, and

Figures 10 and 11 are plan views of this table lighter in the closed and open positions, respectively.

With the closed table lighter according to Figure 1, it is only possible to see the base plate 1 of the bottom section, while the upper section which is adapted to be displaced upwardly relatively to the bottom section or base plate 1 is enclosed by a box-shaped casing 2, the top part 3 of which is formed with an outlet opening 4 for the extinguishing cap 5. A will be seen, the outlet opening 4 conforms'to the size of the extinguishing cap and when the table lighter is closed, the said cap forms a closed fiat surface with the cap casing part 3.

According to Figures 2 to 7, the upper section of the table lighter consists essentially of two fiat frame plates 7 and 8 which are each rolled at one side edge'to form guide sleeves 6. "Pivotally mounted between the said plates 7 and 8 on the pin 9 is the extinguishing cap 5 which also constitutes an ignition lever. The fuel tank 10 is also fixed between these plates.

, The guide sleeves 6, being slidably engaged on guide pins 12 fixed to the base plate 1, enable the upper section to slide relatively to the lower section.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the frame plates 7 and 8 are also bent over outwardly on one side edge at 13. U-shaped frames 'are thus formed by the bent portions 6 and 13. The actuating means for igniting and extinguishing the lighter are arranged on the two'outside surfaces of the frame plates 7 and 8 and inside the U- shaped space according to Figure In the constructional form illustrated, the ignition lever has fixed thereon a pin 14 which projects through arcuate openings 16 in the two frame plates, and oneend 14a of this pin acts on .a tension spring 21a which cooperates'with a curved track 18 'on a support 19 fixed to the lower section,while a tension spring 21 acts on that other end 1411 of the pin which extends through'a hole in a quadrant-shaped sector 20, the said spring 21 being fixed to theframe plate 8 at 22. The sector 20 is capable of pivoting with the ignition lever about the pin 9 and is locked by a slide member 23. The latter is mounted for vertical displacement on the outside of the frame plate 7 and engages by means of a rectangular projection in a yertical guide slot 25 in the plate 7.

This slide member'23 is forced by means of a spring 26 into the locking position. The slide member also eatries a projection 27 which co-operates with a releasing or unlocking hook 28 fixed to the bottom section.

As will be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the support 19 and the unlocking hook 28 consist of a single sheet metal element fixed to the bottom section or base plate 1. The bottom section of the table lighter consists of the solid base plate 1 which effects the unlocking orlig'hting movement by its own weight, and which has'the 0 support 19 and the guide pins 12 fixed thereon. The

'eneneea lighter is closed (see Figure 11) and which therefore is only visible when the lighter is open.

As will be seen from the drawings, the fuel tank extends almost completely over the full width between the frame plates 7 and 8. The closure screw of the filling opening for the fuel tank is indicated at 30, while the cloisng screw for the-flint housing passage 32 is indi cated at 31. Access to these two screws is possible by way of suitable holes 33 and 34 in the base plate '1 According to Figure 1 air supply slots 36 and 37 are provided in the casing 2 in the region of the wick 35 (Figure 5) and the upper section has fixed thereon a leaf spring, the end 38 of which engages in one of the slots 36 and thus detachably connects the upper section and the casing 2.

The operation of the tablelighter is as follows: if the lighter is gripped by the casing 2 and is lifted, the lower section 1 slides downwardly in the guide sleeves 6 due to gravity. The hook 28 of the lower section strikes the projection 27 of the slide member 23, so that the latter'is forced downwardly against the action of the spring 26 and thus the sector 20 is u'nlocked,'i.'e. released. Under 'theaction of the tension springs 21 and 21h, the sector 20 and the ignition lever 5 with the extinguishing cap are rocked into the vertical position shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The ignition wheel is simultaneously rotated in a known manner by means of a ratchet, not shown, which is turned by the shutter cap 5 during its movement to the vertical position shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

As best seen in Fig. 5, the pin 14a is now located on the cam track 18. The weight of the upper section rests through the pin 18 on the support 19 whose cam track 18 is engaged by the pin 14a. The weight of the upper section is insufiicient to overcome the action of the spring 21, which has to be tensioned for moving the upper section of the lighter in downward direction toward the lower section of the lighter. Consequently, the lighter can be placed on a table, and the upper section remains in rest position, while the ignited wick continues to produce a flame. The lighter may be completely released in this position and left on the table in lighted condition. When it is desired to extinguish the flame, pressure is applied in downward direction on the upper section. The pin 14a on the cam track is forced by such pressure to move along the cam track against the action of springsZl, 21a,

shaft back to horizontal closing position, while the springs 23. and 21a are tensioned. Consequently,- the niember 19 with its cam track 18 constitutes a control means'on the base part engaging the means 5, 15 in the raised position of the upper part of the lighter and during downward movement of the upper part for moving the igniting means to normal position against the action of the spring means 21,2111. The sector turns together with the snutfer cap 20, and forces the locking means -23 downward until finally the locking means 23, under ac tion of spring 26, see Fig. 3 snaps upwards to lock the sector 20 in the closed position shown in Fig. 3.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate a table lighter with electric ignition, so that in this case the friction wheel 15, the spring 21 and the flint are dispensed-with. In this elec-' tric "table lighter, a battery '42 is mounted between the frame plates 39 and 40 together with the'fuel tank .41. In this case, the frame plate '40 is rolled over inwardly at one edge at to form a guide sleeve, so that the plate 40 is fiat on the outside and only the other frame plate 39 is flanged over outwardly aet 43 and 44-for-the purpose of forming a U-shaped frame in which the actuating means is arranged. The latter consists in this case merely of a link 45 which is pivoted at one end to a lug 46 of the bottom section and is pivotally connected at 'theother end to. the end 14a of the pin of theignition lever 5. k For ignition purposes'aheating wire 47 is;pro-

While the pin 14:: moves along the cam track, the snuffer cap turns about the friction wheel vided which is connected by the insulated lead 48 to one 'of the battery terminals. A contact spring 49 is also arranged in such manner that, with the opening movement of the ignition lever S as illustrated in Figure 9, the said lever closes the circuit of the heating wire 47, the said circuit being opened again when the lighter is closed (Figure 8).

The invention may, for example, be used with a gas lighter.

I claim:

I. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a weighted base part adapted to rest on a supporting sur face; an upper part mounted on said base part for movement toward and away from the same so that when said upper part is raised, said base-part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part so that said upper part moves upwardly away from said base part; flame producing means and ignition means mounted on said parts, said ignition means being operatively connected with said base part and said upper part so as to be. operated during movement of said upper part away from said base part whereby said flame producing means is ignited when the lighter is grasped at said upper part and is raised from the supporting surface.

2. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a

weighted base part and an upper part mounted for movement relative to each other, said base part being adapted to rest on a supporting surface so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part so that said upper part moves upwardly away from said base part; springloaded means on one of said parts engaging the other of saidparts in said raised position for holdingsaid upper part in "said raised "position against the action of the weight thereof so that pressure is required for moving said upper part toward said lower part; flame producing means mounted on one of said parts; ignition 'means mounted on one of said parts and adapted to ignite said flame producing means; and actuating means for said ignition means connected to 'said'parts "and being actuated by movement of said parts away from each other. 3. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a weighted base part adapted to rest on a supporting surface; ah'upp'erpart mounted on said base part for movement toward and away from the same between a normal lower position and an actuated raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrainedby the weight thereof from following said upper part so that said upper partmoves upwardly away from said base part to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said upper part; ignition means for igniting said flame producing means mounted on said upper part; and actuating means operatively connected to 'said base part and said upper part and being connected to said ignition means for operating the same whensaid upper part moves to said actuated raised position.

4. A-table lighter comprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to-rest on a supportingsurface andupright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on said guide meansfor movement toward and away from said base plate between a normal lowerpos ition and an actuated raised position so that whens'aid upper is raised,-said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said-upper, part; snuffer means-mounted on said upper part movable between a normal extinguishing position and an open;position; igniting'means mounted on -said 'upper part for movement between a normal position and -an-actuated positionpand actuating means'operatively connected to said base part and said upperspart, and being connected to said igniting means and to said snuffer means for movingsitidignitingmeahs to said actuated position, andfor moving said snufier means to said open position when said uppenpai't moves to said actuated raised position. I

5. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to rest on a supporting surface and upright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper partmountedonsaid guide means for movement toward and away from said base plate between a normal lower position and an actuated raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part tosaid actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said upper part; combined snufier and igniting means mounted on said upper part for movement between a normal position and an actuated position; and actuating means operatively connected to said base part and said upper part and being connected to said combined snuifer and igniting means for moving the same to said actuated position when said upper part moves to said actuated raised position, and for moving the same to said normalposition when said upper part is moved to said normal lower position.

6. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to rest on a supporting surface and upright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on said guide means for movement toward and away from said base plate between a normal lower position and an actuated raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upperpait to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said upper part and including afuel tank; combined snuifer and'igniting means mounted on said upper part for movement between a normal position and an actuated position and including a sparking mechanism; and actuating means operatively connected to said base part and said upper part and beingconnected to said combined snufi'er and igniting means for moving the same to said actuated position when said upper part moves to said actuated raised position, and for moving the same to said normal position when said upper part is moved to said normal lower position.

7. A table lighterLcomprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to'r est on a supporting surface and upright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on said guide means for movement toward and away from said base platebetween a normal lower position and an actuated 'raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said upper part; combined snuffer and igniting means mounted on said upper part for movement between a normal position and an actuated position, said igniting means including an electric heating wire means; and actuating means operatively connected to said base part and said upper part and being connected to said combined snuffer and igniting means for moving the same to said actuated position when said upper part moves to said actuated raised position, and for moving the same to said normal position when said upper part is moved to said normal lower position.

8. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to rest on a supporting face and upright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on said guide means for movement toward and away from said base plate between a normal lower position and an actuated raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper part to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted a v -6 on said upper part; igniting'n'ieans mounted dns'a'id'tip' part part for movement between'a' normal position, and an actuated position for igniting said flame producing means; spring means urging said igniting means into said actuatedposition; locking means connected to said base part and upper part and locking said igniting means in said normal position when said upper part is in said normal lower position, and releasing said igniting means for movement into said actuated position under the action of said spring means when'said upper part'is moved to said actuated raised position; and control means on said base part engaging said igniting means in said raised position and during movement of said upper part-to said normal lower position for moving said igniting means against the action of said spring means to said normal position when said upper part is moved to said normal lower position, said spring means holding said upper part in said raised position against the action of the weight of's'aid upper part so that pressure is required for moving said upper part to said lower position.

9. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a base part including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to rest on a supporting surface and upright guiding means fixedly secured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on said guide means for movement toward and away from said base plate between a normal lower position and an actuated raised position so that when said upper part is raised, said base part is restrained by the weight thereof for following said upper part to said actuated raised position; flame producing means mounted on said upper part; combined snuffer and igniting means mounted on said upper part for movement between a normal position, andan actuated position for respectively'uncovering and igniting said flame producing means; spring means urging said combined snuifer and igniting means into said actuated position; locking means connected tosaid base part and upper part and locking said combined snutferand igniting means in said normal position when said upper part is in said normal lower position, and releasing said combined snuffer and igniting'mea'ns for movement into said actuated position under the action of said spring means when said upper part is moved to said actuated raised position; and control means on said base part engaging said combined snutfer and'igniting means during movement of said upper part to said normal lower position for moving said combined snutfer and igniting means to said normal position when said upper part is moved to said normal lower position. l0.' A table lighter as set forth in claim 9, wherein said upper part includes a casing having a top Wall and being open at the lower end thereof, said top wall having an opening opposite said combined snulfer and igniting means, said combined snufler and igniting means projecting at least partly through'said opening in said top wall in said actuated position thereof;

11. A table lighter as set forth in claim 10 wherein said casing has lateral walls having portions located in the region of said flame producing means, said portions being formed with perforations.

12. A table lighter as set forth in claim 11 wherein said upper part includes a means slidably guided on said upright guiding means and including a resilient catch means, said catch means engaging at least one of said perforations in said lateral walls.

13. A table lighter as set forth in claim 9 wherein said locking means include a locking member slidably mounted on said upper part for movement between a locking position for locking said combined snuflfer and igniting means, and a releasing position, said, locking member including a transverse projection; a spring urging said locking member into said locking position; and a releasing member fixedly connected to said base por tion and being spaced from said projection in said normal lower position of said upper part and engaging said projection during movement of said upper part to said actuated raised position. for movingzsaid locking member to saidreleasingposition. V

14.,A table i'lighter 'as :set forth in :claim .9 wherein said control means includes a (cam memberfixedlyconnected to said base part; and wherein said combined snufier and ignitingmeans includes a camv follower member and is pivotally mounted on said upper part, said cam .follower' member engaging said cam member-during movement of said-upper -part 'fromsaid raised actuated position .to said lower ,normal position for pivoting-said combined snulfer and ignitingrmeans to said normalsposition thereof against the action of said spring means. 15..A table lighter asset forth in "claim 9 wherein said locking means include a locking-member slidably mounted 'on said .upper ,part :for movement between a locking position for lockingssaid combined snufter :and igniting means, and areleasing-position, said locking member including a transverse projection; a spring urging said locking member -.into saidlocking position; a releasing memberfixed ly connected to said base portion and being spaced from said projection in said normal lower position of said upper part 'andengagingicsaid projection during movement of said upper part to said actuated raised position for moving-said locking member to said releasing position; wherein said control meansin cludes a cam member fixedly connected to said base part, said cam member-and said releasing-member'being integrally connected; and wherein said combined shutter and igniting means includes a'cam follower member .and is pivotally mounted on upper part, said cam followenmember engaging said cam member during-movement-ofsaid upper part from said .raised :actuated'position to .said lower normal position for pivotingtsaid combined snufier and ignitingmeans to said normal position thereof against the action ofsaid spring means.

16. A table lighter as set forth in claim -15, wherein said spring means which-urges saidigniting means to said actuated position is secured to said cam-follower member, said cam-follower member being a transverse :pin. 17. A table lighter asset forth inclaim9, wherein said upper part includes two parallel plate members having guide means guided on said rguiding'means of said base part saidplate members beingformed with opposite-arcuate slots, respectively; wherein said combined snutter and igniting means is pivotally mounted on said plate members; a pin secured tosaid combined snufier vand igniting means and projecting into said arcuate-slots; an arresting member fixedly connected to said combined snufier and igniting means for pivotal movement therewith; and wherein said locking means include -a locking member slidably mounted on onetof said plate members for movement between a locking position engaging said arresting member for holding said combined snuffer and igniting means in said normal position, and a releasing position releasing said arresting member and thereby said 2combinedssnuffer andvigniting means fonmovement to said actuated position.

18. A tablelighter as set forth in claim 17 and includinga fuel :tank-located between said plate members and secured totthe same.

T19. Atable lighter as setforth in claim-9 wherein said nppen partincludes a pair of parallelplate members,-each of said plate members including one tubular edge portion guided on said guidingrrneans and an outwardly projecting-flange, said tubular edge portion and said flange of each of said plate members defining a space, said spring means, locking means, and control means beinglocated in said spaces; wherein said upper part 'further includes 'a casing having an open lower end and enveloping tsaid plate members; and wherein said upper part includesmeans-forholding said casing on said plate members.

20. A table lighter comprising, in combination, a base'tpart including a weighted base plate having a bottom face adapted to rest .on a supporting surface and upright guiding means-fixedlysecured to said base plate; an upper part mounted on "said guide means for movement toward and away from saidbaseplate between a normal lower position-and an actuated raised position so that when said upperpart is raised, said basepart is restrained by the weight thereof from following said upper 'part to said (actuated raised ,position; 'fla'me producing means mounted on-said'upp'er part; combined snufier and ignitingmeans pivotallyimounted on said upper part for movement-between a normal position and an actuatedposition, said cornbined'snufier and igniting means including a=transverse pin; and actuating means including a link pivotally mounted on said base part and pivotally connected to saidrtransverse pin for pivoting said combined .snufier and igniting-inieans tosaid actuated position when said upper part moves tosaid actuated raised position, andfor moving the same tosaid normal position when said upper :part :is moved to said normal lower position.

2-1. A table lighter as set forth in claim 20 wherein said-upper part includes two parallel plate members; a battery mounted 'between 'said parallel plate members wherein said igniting means include an electric heating wireyand'contact means closed during movement of said upper partrto-saidaraised actuated position and for connecting said battery with'said electric heating wire.

Referen'cesCited in the file-of this patent "UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,720,448 Se al July 9, 1929 1;944,l'7 7 'Holtzman Ian. 25, 1934 '2;035,886 HOltZinflIl M31. 31, 19 36 :FOREIGN PATENTS 154,483 Austria Oct. 10, 1938 

